First launched in 2017 following devastating hurricanes, the British Virgin Islands (BVI) Chromebooks Project empowers public high school students and educators with learning opportunities outside of the classroom via the donation of laptop computers. In the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, the project has again moved into the forefront by providing the appropriate devices and resources to keep students learning online. Most recently, the Bitter End Yacht Club (BEYC) purchased 132 additional devices, bringing the total to over 1,000 Chromebooks contributed by a group of charitable organizations to the Ministry of Education and financially challenged private schools in the BVI.
“The COVID-19 crisis has reminded us again of the value of keeping students focused and ensuring continuity of learning via flexible and adaptable platforms for teaching and delivery of curriculum,” says Lauren Hokin, a BEYC managing owner. “It has been very rewarding to work alongside our partners at The Guana Fund, Unite BVI, and the McLain Association for Children to bring this program to fruition, and even more heartening to see the results that teachers and students alike are achieving thanks to their commitment and hard work, along with access to the right tools.”
Since Hurricanes Irma and Maria in the fall of 2017, the Bitter End Foundation and its predecessor philanthropic vehicles have raised nearly $1,000,000 to support grant making and other charitable activities, primarily in the BVI. Cruisers and long-term fans of the BEYC can get involved and support this and other important initiatives that support the BVI community in two ways: donate to the Bitter End’s non-profit affiliate, the Bitter End Foundation ( https://bitterendprovisions.com/pages/provisions-for-good ), and shop for seaworthy gear at Bitter End Provisions ( bitterendprovisions.com ).
